1.2- Species Cucumis sativus (Cucumber)+ Overview Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is a widely cultivated plant in the gourd family, Cucurbitaceae. It is a creeping vine that bears cylindrical fruits that are used as culinary vegetables. There are three main varieties of cucumber: slicing, pickling, and burpless. Within these varieties, several different cultivars have emerged. The cucumber is originally from Southern Asia, but now grows on most continents. Many different varieties are traded on the global market. + Varieties There are over hundreds varieties of cucumbers on the World. In human cultivation, the varieties of cucumbers are classified into three main varieties: "slicing", "pickling", and "burpless". See also:List of cucumber varieties.

2- Characteristics of the Species Cucumis sativus - Cucumber

2.1- Description Cucumberis the common name for a widely cultivated creeping vine, Cucumis sativus, in the gourd family Cucurbitaceae, characterized by large leaves, thin tendrils, and a typically elongated, green-skinned fruit with tapered ends. The term also is applied to the edible, cylindrical fruit of this plant.

+ Plant The cucumber,Cucumis sativus, is a creeping vine (climbing or sprawling) that roots in the ground and grows up trellises on other supporting frames, wrapping around ribbing with thin, spiraling tendrils. Cucumbers belong to the samegenusas the muskmelon. Cucumber plants are annual plants, surviving only one growing season and the vines can reach up to 5 m (16.4 ft) in length. The cucumber is a creeping vine that roots in the ground and grows uptrellisesor other supporting frames, wrapping around supports with thin, spiraling tendrils. The plant may have 4 or 5 main stems from which the tendrils branch.+ Leaves The plant has large leaves that form a canopy over the fruit. The leaves of the plant are arranged alternately on the vines, have 3-7 pointed lobes and are hairy; branched tendrils at leaf axes support climbing.+ Flowers Cucumber plants are tendril bearing vines with triangular prickly hairy leaves and yellow flowers which are either male or female. Female flowers are yellow with 5 petals, and develop into a cylindrical fruit, which may be as large as 60 centimeters (24 in) long and 10 centimeters (3.9 in) in diameter. The color ranges from green to yellow to whitish; in many varieties, fruits are bicolored with longitudinal stripes from stem to apex. The female flowers are recognized by the swollen ovary at the base which will become the edible fruit. Traditional varieties produce male blossoms first, then female, in about equivalent numbers. New gynoecious hybridcultivarsproduce almost all female blossoms. However, since these varieties do not providepollen, they must have a pollenizer variety interplanted with them, and the number of beehives per unit area is increased.+ Fruits Having an enclosed seed and developing from a flower, cucumbers are scientifically classified asfruits. It should be noted that vegetable is a purely culinary term and as such there is no conflict in classifying cucumber as both a fruit and a vegetable. Having an enclosed seed and developing from a flower, botanically speaking, cucumbers are classified as pepoes, a type ofbotanical berry. Much like tomatoes and squash they are often also perceived, prepared and eaten as vegetables. The cucumber fruit varies in shape but is generally a curved cylinder rounded at both ends that can reach up to 60 cm (24 in) in length 10 cm (3.9 in) in diameter. Cucumbers are usually more than 90% water. The flesh of cucumbers is firm and crisp, and really not very sweet, but delicious nevertheless. Cucumbers grown to be eaten fresh (calledslicers) and those intended for pickling (calledpicklers) are similar. + Seeds Cucumber seeds are much smaller than Pumpkin seeds, relatively narrower and thicker and with almost no marginal groove.

2.5- Benefits of Cucumber Cucumbers are the fourth most cultivated vegetable in the world and known to be one of the best foods for your body's overall health, often referred to as a superfood. Cucumbers are often sprayed with pesticides so it is important to buy organic or even better, grow them yourself. Here are 10 Benefits of cucumbers: 1. Quick pick me-up Cucumbers are a good source of B vitamins. Put down your sodas and coffee and eat a cucumber slice. 2. Rehydrates body and replenishes daily vitamins Cucumbers are 95 percent water, keeping the body hydrated while helping the body eliminate toxins. Cucumbers have most of the vitamins the body needs in a single day. Don't forget to leave the skin on because the skin contains a good amount of vitamin C, about 10 percent of the daily-recommended allowance. 3. Skin and hair care If you don't like to eat the skin, it can be used for skin irritations and sunburns as aloe would be used. Place a slice over puffy eyes and its anti-inflammatory properties help reduce puffiness. The silicon and sulfur in cucumbers help to stimulate hair growth. 4. Fight cancers Cucumber are known to contain lariciresinol, pinoresinol, and secoisolariciresinol. These three lignans have a strong history of research in connection with reduced risk of several cancer types, including breast cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer and prostate cancer. 5. Home care Eliminates a foggy mirror. Before taking a shower, rub a cucumber slice along a mirror and it will eliminate the mirror fogging up. Instead of WD40, take a cucumber slice and rub it along a squeaky hinge and your door will stop squeaking. 6. Relieves bad breath Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath. 7. Hangover cure To avoid a morning hangover or headache; eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish many essential nutrients, reducing the intensity of both hangover and headache. 8. Aids in weight loss and digestion Due to its low calorie and high water content, cucumber is an ideal diet for people who are looking for weight loss. The high water content and dietary fiber in cucumbers are very effective in ridding the body of toxins from the digestive system, aiding digestion. Daily consumption of cucumbers can be regarded as a remedy for chronic constipation. 9. Cures diabetes, reduces cholesterol and controls blood pressure Cucumber juice contains a hormone which is needed by the cells of the pancreas for producing insulin which has been found to be beneficial to diabetic patients. Researchers found that a compound called sterols in cucumbers may help reduce cholesterol levels. Cucumbers contain a lot of potassium, magnesium and fiber. These work effectively for regulating blood pressure. This makes cucumbers good for treating both low blood pressure and high blood pressure. 10. Promotes joint health, relieves gout and arthritis pain Cucumber is an excellent source of silica, which is known to help promotes joint health by strengthening the connective tissues. They are also rich in vitamin A, B1, B6, C & D, Folate, Calcium, Magnesium, and Potassium. When mixed with carrot juice, they can relieve gout and arthritis pain by lowering the uric acid levels Sources: 10 Benefits of Cucumber (NaturalNews)http://www.naturalnews.com/036769_cucumbers_health_benefits_rehydration.html .